No. 37. — 1888.] capture of Colombo. 



379 



of troops came out of the Fort, and arrived at half past 

 one in the morning at Passe-Betaal, a post which the 

 enemy sought to occupy. Major Vaugine marched so as to 

 approach Grandpass, and then debouched to the left in order 

 to reach the wood and a narrow path : he had several 

 streams and abattis to pass, but he was not disturbed 

 during that night. 



The following day, February 6, 1796, the Major began 

 stationing posts all along the river, and sentries on the two 

 banks. 



The minister Goeff ening, who lived not far off, came to visit 

 the post, and offered his services, observing that from the 

 Leper Hospital (la maison des Lepreux) on the other side of 

 the river, it would be easy to surprise it. Thereupon a 

 dozen men under Lieutenant Portmann were posted there, as 

 much to guard this point as to observe what might occur 

 on the Mutwal side. The environs of the latter consist of 

 cocoanut gardens watched by natives. 



A quarter of a league further up [the river] to Grandpass 

 was [stationed] Tavel's company. 



At the ferry there was a small house occupied by an 

 invalid corporal, whose duty was to examine those crossing 

 the river. He had with him five Sinhalese fishermen to 

 work the ferry boats, but they all took flight on the arrival 

 of the detachment. The officers stationed themselves in 

 the verandah of the Postholder's house, and the soldiers 

 under the trees facing the ferry. At three in the after- 

 noon of the same day Major Vaugine received orders to 

 return to the Fort with one company of Grenadiers and one 

 of Malays. He forwarded Captain Legrevisse a copy of his 

 instructions, according to which he was to maintain himself 

 in that position, and warned him that Captain Mittemann 

 would replace him in the command of his company. He 

 thereupon went to Mutwal, where he had learnt that the 

 enemy wished to effect a landing. 



On February 7 Captain Legrevisse received orders to send 

 another detachment of Malays to the Fort to assist at a 



